Tom Moertel's Weblog: Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount

Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount

Tom Moertel — Wed, 03 May 2006 22:49:00 -0400

Local supermarket chain Giant Eagle has a brilliant marketing scheme called “fuelperks”: For every 50 dollars you spend on groceries in their stores, you earn a one-time, 10-cent-per-gallon discount at Giant Eagle’s “GetGo” gas stations. The discounts accumulate until you use them (or they expire in three months). If you buy 109 dollars of groceries, for example, you will earn a 20-cent-per-gallon gas discount. (The remaining 9 dollars will carry over to your next grocery purchase.)

What makes the scheme brilliant is that its psychological effect is wildly in excess of the discount’s actual value. Many people will wait in lines to buy gas from GetGo, even though the discount provides no incentive to do so. Further, as gas prices rise, many customers perceive the discount to be all the more valuable, even though it is not.

I thought it would be interesting to scrutinize the discount and answer some common questions about it.

How much is the “fuelperks” discount worth?

The discount is typically equivalent to about 3- to 4-percent cash back on your grocery purchases, depending on the average amount of gas you purchase per fill-up. For example, my mid-size car has a 14-gallon tank, and I always buy a full tank’s worth of gas, so for me the discount is about 2.8 percent:

14 gallons × 0.10 dollars/gallon / 50 dollars = 0.028

If you drive a luxury-barge SUV and can manage to buy a full 30 gallons at each fill up, you will earn the theoretical maximum discount of 6 percent.

How do I get the maximum benefit from the discount?

To get the maximum benefit, follow two simple rules:

buy a full tank of gas whenever you use earned discounts at GetGo
use your discounts before they expire

Do I lose benefits if I buy gas somewhere else?

No. Even if you buy most of your gas somewhere else, as long as you buy gas from GetGo frequently enough to use your discounts before they expire, you will get the maximum benefit.

When gas prices increase, do I get more benefits?

No. The value of any discounts you have earned depend on the quantity of gas you purchase. The price of gas at the time of purchase has no effect on the discount.

Any other questions?

If you have any questions (or comments), please post a comment.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Mary Ann

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:24:22 -0500

When does the 90 days expire if you continue purchases? I understand that once you buy gas it starts over again. If I have accumulated .80 off per gallon would my 90 days start from my last Giant Eagle purchase?

Thank you

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Kathy

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:52:44 -0500

If you have more fuel perks than the cost of one 30 gallon fill up, will the remaining fuel perks money roll over and apply to the next fill up?

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by CateMentorOH

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:34:23 -0400

GE Guy said 722 days later:
I work at a Giant Eagle in ohio. fuelperks is a free bonus for buying groceries that you need anyways, not the sole reason to shop at GE. It’s not like you’re throwing money out the window to get a little off your gas bill. People do need food, so why shop somewhere else and not get the added bonus? Bring your gas cans and get your full 30 gallons! That’s right, only 1 vehicle per transaction! Reason being, it’s a fire hazard. People think that’s a load of crap, and I used to think so too, but i saw the security footage of it happening! Static electricity is no joke! Follow the sales ad as much as possible and you’ll save some bucks, i promise.

Are you a bagboy or a cart jockey? I’d have to say, if you believe that “load of crap”, your mentality is hovering at the level of a squirrel. If it was even a remote danger, it would be against the law for customers to put gas into another vehicle. It’s not anymore dangerous to fill another tank as it is to fill one tank, or a gas can for that matter. GE is the only gas station to prohibit that practice to further rip-off their customers!

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by SolonOhio

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:24:22 -0400

Getgo gets their gas from Streetsboro & Aurora gas wells located on the border of these 2 towns off of Ohio Route 43.. Marathon uses their trailers to fillup for speedway out in Streetsboro & Aurora. Marathon uses gas from their gas wells in Brecksville, Ohio. I always see a Getgo gas truck filling up where speedway gets their gas.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Jack

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:51:27 -0400

What software company does get go use to interface with the buyers ourchase and actual control of how much the gas pump drops

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by ANA

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:03:12 -0400

GIANT EAGLE GAS IS NOT VERY GOOD. When I fill up at a Giant Eagle gas station my gas tank tends to go down quicker when compared to filling up somewhere else such as Sunoco or BP. I get a good 30 miles less when I fill up at Giant Eagle.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by v ferguson

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:52:17 -0400

V Ferguson I used to shop only at Wal-Mart and now I have noticed that Giant Eagle matches or even beats their prices so not only are you getting a good deal on most items (not all) you are getting the gas points. Last night I filled up my car and 4 gas cans to a total of 30 gallons and my bill was only $38.00…at todays gas prices, it normally would have cose me $120.00. Thats a savings of $82.00. If you use logic when shopping then its worth the trouble especially with todays gas prices. More stores should follow this example and those who have are not doing it very well …good bye Wal – Mart !!!!!

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Charley

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:09:00 -0400

I bought a cd that someone sells on ebay about fuelperks, there are a few ways you can make more points that people do not think of. I have been getting alot of fuelperks without even shopping much at Giant Eagle.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by GE Guy

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:47:25 -0400

I work at a Giant Eagle in ohio. fuelperks is a free bonus for buying groceries that you need anyways, not the sole reason to shop at GE. It’s not like you’re throwing money out the window to get a little off your gas bill. People do need food, so why shop somewhere else and not get the added bonus? Bring your gas cans and get your full 30 gallons! That’s right, only 1 vehicle per transaction! Reason being, it’s a fire hazard. People think that’s a load of crap, and I used to think so too, but i saw the security footage of it happening! Static electricity is no joke! Follow the sales ad as much as possible and you’ll save some bucks, i promise.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by wohlfarth2000@aol.com

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:28:12 -0400

Which Giant Eagles off the $.20 discount on a $50 purchase? I know the 2 Giant Eagles in Somerset, PA offers the Double Discount. Any in the Pittsburgh area?

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by ozoneart@verizon.net

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:05:46 -0400

What oil co. supplies Getgo gas”

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Dave

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:21:09 -0500

The problem with fuel perks is that you end up spending more in grocery prices than what the fuel perks are worth. The worse selection of any grocery store I’ve ever gone to. They limit selection and push you to the generic giant eagle products.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Bob

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:34:21 -0500

Why can’t I fill up 2 vehicles at the gas pumps so that I can get my total 30 gallons of gas?? Whats the reasoning behind that?? Instead, Giant Eagle is promoting the use of gas cans that I have to transport in my vehicle which will take 2 to 3 cans. To carry this much gasoline in cans in my vehicle could be deadly in an accident. Let me say that Giant Eagle is doing a wonderful thing by offering fuel perks and is greatly appreciated but for us little guys with our little cars, I can’t reap the benefit unless I create a risky situation for myself and my family. Will Giant Eagle please make it possible for us to take full advantage of the 30 gallons either in allowing us to use the credits at a later time or fill up 2 cars. I do 90 percent of my shopping at Giant Eagle because of the fuel perks so please, listen and help yourselves and us consumers….

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by person

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:13:55 -0500

The gas usually comes from Sunoco

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Cheryl

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:39:17 -0500

I’d like to know where Giant Eagle buys their gas too.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Bernie

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:48:03 -0500

I was told that GetGo buysits gasoline from Citco? Is that true?

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by wanda manuel

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:38:48 -0400

another sure way to save at the pumps. 1)acummulate as many perks as you can in a 1 to 2 month period 2)Take along a coupl of 5 gal. cans and get all of your gas at that discounted price (70 cents off this week for me) THEY WON’T ALLOW YOU TO FILL-UP 2 SEPARATE CARS!!! but you can fill-up you gas cans!! (LOL) all the way to the pumps!

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Leann

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:10:03 -0400

I mainly use Giant Eagle to buy gift cards to the stores I shop at (Home Depot, Sears, Best Buy) and the resturants we eat at (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc) ... by doing this my fuel perks add up very quickly. Currently I have $11.20 off per gallon!! Now of course I had to spend a lot of money to get this dollar amount (around $2,800) but being a new homeowner we have been buying things for the house and buying all our gift cards at GE. Our GE is actually .20 off per gallon and has been for over a year. My last fill up was 30 gallons (my car takes 15 and I filled up 3 5 gallon gas cans) and the total was $98.00!! I didn’t pay anything. Woo hoo for free gas and as of right now I’ll get 3 more free fill ups just like that!

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Ben

Mon, 21 May 2007 21:02:07 -0400

I ran across this, and here’s the crafty thought: Given that one’s accumulation of Fuelperks over time is going to be a fixed rate, then the longer you can go between fill-ups, the greater discount you will receive. I purchased a 5 gallon gas can and each time I use my discounts to fill up my car, I also fill up the gas can. That way, not only do I get an additional 5 gallons at the discounted rate, I also delay my next fill-up. By delaying my next fill-up, I will be more likely to have a bigger discount. Of course in order to make a profit, I have to cover the cost of purchasing a can. If you have a few prescriptions to pick up at Giant Eagle, you’ll probably cover the cost of your can pretty easily.

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Emily

Wed, 16 May 2007 17:24:48 -0400

I can only get 17-18 gallons in my tank. Can I use the remaining 12-13 gallons that i’m entitled to for my husband’s car?

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by William Malie

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 19:30:04 -0400

You get 1.00 off per gallon for new or xfered rx’s, so it’s worth it for that. I had three new ones so I got 3.00 off, and has was 2.59 then, so I used my card for 30 free gallons, worth $77.70 and still had 0.41 off per gallon!

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Dennis D Kapp

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 15:23:42 -0400

wher are the getgos in northwest pa? i will be traveling east on interstate 80 where can i get their gas? Dennis

"Unofficial answers to FAQs about Giant Eagle's “fuelperks” gas discount" by Rick Xu

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 21:43:47 -0400

Trouble is, with the cost of fuel, it is transferred to the transportation of grocery goods and the prices at Giant eagle are higher than in other grocery stores. Thus, do some calculation and a greater savings ratio can be earned using food as a “weapon.”